Around the Ivies: Top challengers to Princeton’s three-peat bid

The women’s basketball team came sprinting out of the gate this season, preparing to claim a third-consecutive Ivy League title. Princeton (7-1 overall) won its first six games before succumbing 81-70 to unbeaten No. 22 Delaware on Dec. 1. Junior forward Niveen Rasheed has led the team in points, averaging 16.9 per game. Princeton’s defense has led the conference, holding its opponents to only 52.8 points per game and totaling 94 steals. The Tigers have excelled in their non-conference games, leading the Ivy League as they look forward to the start of conference play on Jan. 7.

Penn (4-2)

After an overtime win against St. Francis in their first game, the Quakers have played decent defense, but their offense hasn’t scored more than 70 points in a game. Sophomore guard Alyssa Baron is the highest scorer in the league with 17.8 points on average this season. The conference named freshman forward Kara Bonenberger Ivy League Rookie of the Week on Monday for the second week in a row. Bonenberger had 17 total rebounds in her last two games. Penn suffered its second loss of the season in a harsh 69-38 loss to third-ranked Notre Dame on Friday.

Yale (4-4)

The Bulldogs have been unsuccessful in a grueling nonconference schedule. Top-ranked Baylor slaughtered the Bulldogs in a 109-59 victory. Yale fell to Delaware this Monday, but unlike Princeton’s game, the 77-45 loss wasn’t even close. Junior guard Megan Vasquez and sophomore forward Janna Graf lead the team in three-pointers, so much so that Yale has attempted 84 more shots than their opponents outside the arc.

Brown (6-4)

Sheila Dixon has improved through the beginning of the season, improving the Bears with her. Dixon posted a double-double in a loss against Fairfield, but since then her team has had its first three-game win streak of the season. On Sunday, Dixon scored a career-high 26 points against Providence. This week the conference named her Player of the Week.

Harvard (3-4)

The Crimson disappointed at the beginning of the season, suffering a three-game losing streak, but Harvard is angling to extend its two-win streak. Despite a losing record, Harvard tops the Ivy League in points with 68.1 per game and the leading field goal percentage. A weak defense, though, allows 68.4 points per game, giving Harvard a negative scoring margin. Harvard’s offense has three of the top 10 scorers in the league with sophomore guard Christine Clark, senior guard Brogan Berry and junior forward Victoria Lippert score 41.1 points per game cumulatively.

Dartmouth (2-4)

The Big Green has the lowest-scoring offense in the league. Dartmouth scored a measly 20 points in its opening game against Kansas State. Its defense can’t keep games winnable with an offense that only averages 49.5 points. Junior guard Faziah Steen has to carry the team on her back as the next two top scorers are freshmen who average less than six points. When Steen excels, Dartmouth wins. She scored 32 points against Vermont in their 72-62 victory and had a double-double performance.

Cornell (2-5)

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The Big Red’s record isn’t as terrible as it looks. Unlike Yale, Cornell has only suffered two double-digit losses. Only its opening game against William & Mary was a blowout. Two of Cornell’s losses were within two points. Cornell’s stamina flags during the second half. In its 68-61 loss to Longwood, Cornell led by eight points in the first half only to see that lead evaporate in the second. Cornell also led at halftime against New Hampshire but lost after a buzzer-beater. Cornell’s offense is a team effort with four players that average at least eight points.

Columbia (1-7)

The Lions aren’t even on track to repeat their 7-21 overall record last season. They don’t have the worst scoring margin in the league, but Columbia has the least accurate offense. Their game plan seems to be just lobbing the ball at the basket as often as possible. Columbia’s top scorer senior guard, Melissa Shafer, has 29.5 percent accuracy on field goals, and none of the Lions average double digits in games. Columbia’s only hope seems to be that its defense can keep games from becoming blowouts.